‘Watch This Space’: Botchwey Pledges Action at Antigua CHOGM
Commonwealth Secretary-General says Antigua summit will deliver investment partnerships and initiatives to strengthen resilience and opportunity.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey has promised that the summit in Antigua and Barbuda will produce action, with new partnerships for investment and prosperity and initiatives to strengthen resilience and opportunity.
Addressing the Commonwealth welcome reception at Government House on Saturday evening, Botchwey challenged scepticism about the value of international summits.
“When some say summits only produce words, I say watch this space,” she told the gathering.
She said the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and the Commonwealth Secretariat had worked together to design a summit of action.
“Yes, there will be words,” she said. “But I assure you there will be action.”
Botchwey delivered the assurance while congratulating Antigua and Barbuda on its 45th anniversary of independence.
She reflected on the country’s decision to join the Commonwealth as a sovereign and equal nation, describing the association as a partnership built through the voluntary choices of independent states.
Drawing on the experience of her own country, Ghana, she said the independence anniversaries of Commonwealth members also represent chapters in the organisation’s shared history.
The Secretary-General defended cooperation and the equal value of small states’ voices, arguing that countries achieve more when they work together.
She thanked Prime Minister Gaston Browne, his colleagues and the people of Antigua and Barbuda for the care and commitment devoted to hosting the meeting.
“This week, St. John’s is not just the capital of this nation, it is the capital of our Commonwealth,” she said.
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